10:17 Now 2 as Jesus 3 was starting out on his way, someone ran up to him, fell on his knees, and said, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 4
10:25 Now 5 an expert in religious law 6 stood up to test Jesus, 7 saying, “Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 8
18:18 Now 9 a certain ruler 10 asked him, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 11
1 sn Jesus reassures his disciples with a promise that (1) much benefit in this life (a hundred times as much) and (2) eternal life will be given.
2 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
3 tn Grk “he”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
4 sn The rich man wanted to know what he must do to inherit eternal life, but Jesus had just finished teaching that eternal life was not earned but simply received (10:15).
5 tn Grk “And behold.” Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic. The Greek word ἰδού (idou) at the beginning of this statement has not been translated because it has no exact English equivalent here, but adds interest and emphasis (BDAG 468 s.v. 1).
6 tn Traditionally, “a lawyer.” This was an expert in the interpretation of the Mosaic law (see also Luke 7:30, where the same term occurs).
7 tn Grk “him”; the referent (Jesus) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
8 sn The combination of inherit with eternal life asks, in effect, “What must I do to be saved?”
9 tn Here καί (kai) has been translated as “now” to indicate the transition to a new topic.
10 sn Only Luke states this man is a ruler (cf. the parallels in Matt 19:16-22 and Mark 10:17-22, where the questioner is described only as “someone”). He is probably a civic leader of some kind, a leader in the society.
11 sn The rich man wanted to know what he must do to inherit eternal life, but Jesus had just finished teaching that eternal life was not earned but simply received (18:17). See the similar question about inheriting eternal life in Luke 10:25.